Hogan extends Demons deal

Hogan extends Demons deal - The West Australian

Boon Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan has signed a two-year contract extension with the club, expected to be announced as soon as this afternoon.

The 19-year-old Claremont product has yet to play a game for the Demons and doesn’t come out of contract until next year, but thewest.com.au understands he has agreed to a deal which will keep him at the club through to the end of the 2017 season.

Hogan was earmarked for a debut in round one after dominating in the VFL as an underage player last season but has been sidelined since pre-season with a nagging back injury.

The 195cm, 101kg key forward is nearing a return through the Casey Scorpions in the next few weeks and is still hopeful of making his AFL debut this season.

The Marist junior arrived at the club as a 17-year-old through the 2012 mini-draft. The Demons gave up picks No.3 and No.13 in the deal, but also received pick No.20 and young midfielder Dom Barry from GWS in the exchange.

He kicked 39 goals for Casey last season and finished seventh in the league’s best and fairest award.

Hogan’s place in the Demons’ future planning became clear when new coach Paul Roos flew to Perth the week after signing with the club to have discussions with the young forward and his family.

At the time, Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney told thewest.com.au Roos was keen for the club to secure Hogan long-term.

“All of our good young players, we’d like to have discussions about long-term deals,” he said.

“Paul at the moment is going through our whole playing list and trying to get a handle on it.

“He’s only seen vision of Jesse but, like everyone, he likes what he sees.

“We’ve got a key forward who is aggressive and wants the ball in his hands and makes good decisions.”